A Profound Reflection on Loss: Ololade Koleosho’s “Sariyu” and “The Lady Abeke”
Written by Ade - Olusola Kunmi
Ololade Koleosho’s artwork, Sariyu and The Lady Abeke, delves deeply into the complex and often unspoken emotions surrounding miscarriage. Through the powerful use of black-white & blue imagery, the artist captures the essence of grief, resilience, and healing. The absence of multiple color strips away distractions, centering the viewer’s attention on the raw emotions portrayed in each piece. The artworks provide a meditative space for exploring the pain and hope that accompany the journey of loss.
In The Lady Abeke, Koleosho masterfully illustrates despair and reflection. One image portrays a model partially obscured by a curtain, her downcast gaze and tender grip on her belly conveying an almost unbearable sadness. This pose evokes the memory of a life once felt but now absent—a poignant portrayal of longing and unfulfilled dreams
The second image in Sariyu is particularly striking. The model’s bold pose and masked face, set against a dark backdrop, suggest the resilience required to present strength while concealing grief. This duality speaks to the experience of many women navigating loss, balancing societal expectations with personal anguish. The darker tones in this series amplify the theme of internal struggle, underscoring the hidden depths of the human experience.
The second image continues the narrative with the model viewed from a different angle, reinforcing the emotional weight of her experience. The choice of blue tones adds to the melancholic atmosphere, emphasizing sorrow while subtly hinting at perseverance. These compositions invite viewers to connect personally with the emotions of loss, making the series as therapeutic as it is evocative.
In Sariyu, Koleosho shifts the narrative, maintaining the theme of miscarriage but exploring it through a different lens. Here, the model appears in a wooded setting, clutching her belly with a serene expression partially masked by a face covering. The juxtaposition between her smile and the mask creates an intriguing tension—does the smile reflect healing, or is it a façade hiding deeper pain?
Koleosho’s work excels in portraying the emotional spectrum of miscarriage, from despair to the quiet resilience of moving forward. The images invite viewers to reflect on the often-taboo topic of pregnancy loss, fostering understanding and empathy. Her artistic choices—be it the monochromatic palette, the use of blue, or the mask as a metaphor for hidden pain—elevate the pieces beyond visual art to become a narrative of shared human experience.
By shedding light on such a deeply personal and often isolated struggle, Sariyu and The Lady Abeke challenge societal silences and celebrate the strength of women who navigate this journey.
